New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-10
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
A. JOKING CONGRESSMAN IN CANADA.

THE PRESIDENT AND THE @. A. R.-THE MAJORS
CIGAR
WASHINGTON, July o. Congressman Ben But
tcrworth who In company with Erastus Wiman has
lust completed short missionary tour in Canada has
return I'd to Washington brimiul of enthusiasm
the prospect OF commercial union between the United
States aud the Dominion. Major Butterw0rth, who
comes of fighting Quaker " stock and who was q
gallant Union SOLDIER Is captivating speaker and he
treated the Canadians to choice specimens OF
American eloquence. His reception, suspect, was
marked by grvster cordially than OBren greeted
with, for the Congressman Is fervent in his praises Of
the Canadians, whom he and addressed in public
we'll rs private "They are solid sturdy
people," he said. aThey take interest In politics,
too, aud are having pretty warm times Just now. II
had been dropped among them from the clouds with
out knowing my latitude or longtituds might have
fanced that had landed IL Ohio New-YJrk In tho
first heat of political campaign, if it had not been
for the iberay with which the letcr distributed
by some of their speakers. Yes" continued Major
Butterworth, tho sentiment in favor OF commercial
union with the United States is overwhelming. Here
aud there you will find manufacturer farmer who
Is opposed to it, but the great majority favor il"
In some places where he addressed public meetings
Major Butterworth found that Scotchmen composed
large proportion OF the leading citizens 1t must
have been at such place that an incident occurred
which the Major describes with much gust0. Every
time called on TO speak," he said, "a band of
music to strike up Yankee Doodle and play
the tune with great spirit At one place. after tho
band had concluded, | assumed earnest an express
sion as could raised my hand and in tone hover
ing between uncertainty and conviction began 1t
seeG.s to that have heard that tune before It
sounds familiar to m ears yes, am aim ost sure
that have heard 1t before AT this point somebody
pulled the EXIT OF my coat and glance backward
showed me OF the dignitaries Who with face that
betrayed the greatest anxiety to help me out and
voice lowered to boarse whisper. said You are
right; you must have heard 1t before it's Yankee
Doodle, you know On, how I longed for some
weapon and the strength and skill to penetrate that
mans SIX uli without hurting him."
But Major But,erworth found SONS who we're
not destitute OF q sense OF humor This little story he
| had from worthy Scot: I visited agricultural
fair" said he, and was disappointed to find that
the premiums offered tor the best horses large
compared with the poultry premiums. Well, was
called on tor a speech, you know, and took advant-
age of 1t TO call attention to the matter. l said:
'Gentemsn II seems to me that your committee has
made mistake aud done an act of injustice to the
hen. The horse is a noble animal and Is worthy OF
any encouragement you feel able to give him In the
way of premium But, geutle.neu you ought not 10
forget that exports of the product OF the hen
eggs exceed in value the exports OF horses Besides,
gentlemen your horses, exported, are gone. Not
with the hen. She romans at homo and keeps
right doing business at the came old stand Well,
YOU know, that speech made so deep an impression
that the committee has determined to give tue hen
better show hereafter"
In the excitement caused By the utterances OF Gen.
eral Tutte- which 1 am assured have been greatly
exaggerated by some newspapers which are I'M
friendly TO the Grand Army OF the Republio-and by
the battle flag order. of the main reasons. II not
the cbisf enc, why the Grand Army a body did not
desire the presence Of Mr. Cleveland it's guest at
the National Encampment the belief that IL
would again introduce the disturbing element OF
politics into the organization. Many members OF the
Grand Army suspected that the invitation was ex-
tended through the influence Of General Black and
some other comrades, who are Democrats, and who
hoped that the witt would promote Mr.. Clevelands
prospects for second term and at the same time aid
General Black in his for tho Vice-Presidentia
NOMINATION. An old and prominent member OF the
Grand Army said Politics nearly destroyed the
Grand Army of the Republic a few years ago when an
attempt made to it in behalf OF the third term
movement. In Maryland, Michigan, Indiana and
several other States the Organization virtually dis
banded and the total membership dwinded to Jess I
than 80 00O rhae taught us q severe lesson and we
have not forgotten it, II tor that reason that Mr.
Blaine was invited to be the guest OF tho National
Encampment at Portland, Name, two gears ago.
Some of his friends indignant and regarded tho
refusal TO invite him as aront when slight was
intended Mr. Blaine did not misunderstood the
reason and know that he fully appreciated the force
of it. The Grand Army cannot afford TO DO the tail OF
.nybodys political kite nor, as an organization TO
take part in occasion designed to promote the po'
cal fortunes OF any II any one nan ever had
stronger hold on the organization han did Geheral
Logan its first Commander-in Chief, bavc yet to
learn the fact And yet the efforts OF some OF General
Logans indscrost friends to make the National En-
campment at San Francisco last year an occasion to
'boon him did him positive injury and caused great
dissatisfaction in the ranks OF tho Grand Army"
Thu of tho President not to be present
nj the National Encampment will be o serious disap
poiutment to two Democrats each OF whom carries
full swarm of lively presidential bees IN his bon
net mean of course, Commissioner Black and Post
master General Villas Black Is member OF the
Grand Army while Villas is not although the latter
was as good q soldier the former. AT the En'amp-
meut therefore. Black would lave the advantage OF
his rival liz respects but General villas was will
ipy "a, concedo that consideration OF the tact that
the Presidents Western tour was to be extended to
milwaukee, ST. Paul and other towns in the North vest
in which Mr.. Vilas's agents have been AcuVely ~
work in his behalf tor many months do not mean 10
say that these missionary efforts have been oonnhea
70 the Northwest. Ia Missouri and Virginia and IN
the Middle and Eastern States MS friepds are wo~s
with zeal and energy. He has the advantage Of his
riyal who ia Obliged to depend largely on hs own
a,rts with such voluntary aid no can enlist among
Democratic ox-sodiers IL Is whispered that uensrai
Black has been especially successful 10 new T
john Porter, General Sckles, Marshal hchanon ana
others In the South, too General Black expects to
receive strong support On hccouhe VI MS ~
behalt OF the Mexican veterans and the activity he
has shown in the settlement OF their pension claims
It was rather good thing for Senator Vests peace
of mind that he had packed'his carpe tbay and made
ready to leave for Alaska when the Presidents letter
cancelling his acceptance OF the 81 Louis invitation
was made public. The Senator had just assured
newspaper reporter thar Mr. Cleveland would visit St
Louis at the time of The National Encampment
whether the Grand Army wanted him or NOT ana the
interesting intelligence had flashed the telegraph
wires TO all the newspapers when the Fourth Of July
letter came to light. This Ia the second time that
Mr. Vest has opened his mouth and put his foot IN
IL within a short time Only few weeks ago ne
startled the country with an authoritative state
ment to The oaeet that the President was worn OUT
mi aiagu,,ed b, the burden oil Official toll aud carss
aud that he lCievoland had assured him Vest that